Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Wednesday, April 6
Apr 6, 2011
To go directly to the section of your choice, click on a hyperlink below. Other hyperlinks to meeting information, bills and news are noted in bold type.
- Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
- Daily Florida Insurance-Related Bill Filed for 2011
- Daily Insurance-Related News
Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
Florida’s 2011 Regular Legislative Session
- Click here for today’s Senate block calendar
- Click here for today’s House of Representatives block calendar
8:00 a.m.–Senate Budget Subcommittee on Finance and Tax
- SB 1816 relating to Surplus Lines Insurance by Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance; Senator Mike Fasano
10:00 a.m.–Senate Session
- SB 634 relating to Citizens Property Insurance Corporation/Prohibited Activities by Senator David Simmons
- SB 636 relating to the Repeal of Obsolete Insurance Provisions by Senator David Simmons
- SB 638 relating to (Citizens Property Insurance Corporation’s) Residential Property and Evaluation Grant Program by Senator David Simmons
- SB 2134 relating to Citizens Property Insurance Corporation by Senate Committee on Budget
12:00 p.m.–House Session
- CS/HB 5005 relating to Deregulation of Professions and Occupations by House Economic Affairs Committee, Business and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee; State Representative Dorothy Hukill
- CS/HB 5007 relating to Reducing and Streamlining Regulations by House Economic Affairs Committee, Business and Consumer Affairs Subcommittee; State Representative Dorothy Hukill
Daily Florida Insurance-Related Bills Filed for 2011
HB 7231 relating to the Uniform Home Grading Scale by the House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee; State Representative Mack Bernard
HB 7231 would repeal the statutory authority for Florida’s Uniform Home Grading Scale and makes a conforming change to the My Safe Florida Home Program statute that refers to the Uniform Home Grading Scale. Effective July 1, 2011.
Property insurance bill moves forward
As property insurance lobbyists celebrated with handshakes and back-slaps, the Republican-controlled Legislature pushed forward Tuesday with legislation intended to help Florida’s struggling carriers, while giving consumers higher rates, reduced hurricane coverage, limited rights to challenge carriers and the public burden paying for sinkhole damage.
Florida’s Security First Promotes Kruck, Reynolds
Florida-based homeowners insurance provider, Security First Insurance Co., has appointed Werner E. Kruck as chief operating officer and Marilyn Reynolds as vice president of operations.
Florida’s Acentria Acquires Advanced Comp
Insurance agency Acentria Inc., headquartered in Destin, Florida, has acquired another Florida firm, Advanced Comp, a workers’ compensation insurance agency.
Accident data cast cloud over reliance on red-light cameras
The use of cameras to catch red-light runners may not be as effective at improving traffic safety as expected, according to an early review of accident data by the city.
U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz is new Democratic National Committee chair
President Barack Obama on Tuesday picked U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston, to be the next leader of the Democratic National Committee, underscoring Florida’s ground-zero status in the 2012 campaign.
Former U.S. Senator LeMieux launches bid to return
Former U.S. Senator George LeMieux, who served for 16 months after he was appointed to finish the term of fellow Republican Mel Martinez, announced Tuesday he will try to win election to the chamber on his own.
Senate begins floor action on Florida budget
Floor action is beginning in both legislative chambers on austere spending bills designed to overcome a projected $3.75 billion revenue shortfall in the next budget year.
Florida Governor Rick Scott’s deadline for rules review not adhered to
Governor Rick Scott’s push to streamline state government could lead to thousands of changes in state rules covering everything from drilling wells to hiring lottery employees.
Courts could close for several days if more funding not approved
Fearing the governor will withhold emergency funding to keep state and county courts operating, the state’s chief judges have put together a draconian plan that could shutter the court system in every Florida county for four days next week, and 10 days in May.
Bill to expand casino gaming makes headway
A reconstituted casino gaming bill emerged Tuesday in the Senate, allowing for a casino to be built in each of five regions of the state, but forbidding casinos in Orlando’s tourism havens. It also provides sweeteners to the parimutuel industry.
Bill would require Senate confirmation of Florida Supreme Court justices
A Senate panel voted Tuesday to subject future Florida Supreme Court nominees to Senate confirmation, significantly altering the process by which justices are now appointed to the court.
Governor Scott administration interviews tea party leader for South Florida water district
As environmentalists increasingly sound the alarm over proposed budget cuts for the state’s water management districts, Gov. Rick Scott’s administration is considering adding a tea party leader to the board of governors of the South Florida Water Management District.
Governor Scott surprised at Legislature’s slow pace
Florida Governor Rick Scott says he’s surprised at how long it takes for the Legislature to do its work. Scott was speaking Tuesday at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting. He was asked what he had learned in his first few months on the job.
House District 78: A lesson on redistricting
Want a lesson on redistricting? Just take a look at Florida House District 78.
Florida American Civil Liberties Union launches ‘Incorporate My Uterus’ website
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida has a message for women who want complete control over their reproductive health: Incorporate your uterus.
Texas Regulators Settle Race-Based Discriminatory Pricing Case
The Texas Department of Insurance has reached a settlement with Texas Imperial Life Insurance Co. to secure additional benefits to African-American consumers who were historically sold various types of insurance policies at higher rates than policies sold to whites.
Arkansas Deputy Commissioner Named Outstanding Certified Public Accountant in Government
State Insurance Commissioner Jay Bradford announced that Mel Anderson, the deputy commissioner for Financial Regulation at the Arkansas Insurance Department, has been selected by the Arkansas Society of Certified Public Accountants as its Outstanding CPA in Government for 2011.
Hospitals and Insurers Face Growing Antitrust Scrutiny
Amid growing concern about rising health care costs, the Department of Justice is stepping up efforts against hospitals and insurers it believes are illegally blocking competitors.
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to bellis@cftlaw.com.